Sidelines

November 16, 1998|By TERRY PRICE; Courant Staff Writer

Bills quarterback Doug Flutie scrambled 3 yards on third-and-1, then hit tight end Jay Riemersma with 10-yard touchdown pass with 1 minute, 57 seconds remaining in the third quarter. That gave the Bills a 13-3 lead and enough cushion to withstand a Patriots rally.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

An undermanned defense kept Flutie under control and proved resilient in critical situations. Free safety Willie Clay snuffed out one Bills scoring drive with a diving interception in the endzone with 9:07 remaining in the third quarter. Strong safety Lawyer Milloy stymied another drive with an end zone interception with 4:41 remaining in the fourth quarter.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Patriots gave up a season- high 213 yards rushing. The Bills averaged 4.6 yards on 46 carries. Thurman Thomas had 76 yards on 11 attempts, most of them right through the middle of the line.

YOU CAN LOOK IT UP

The Patriots' woes on third down continued. New England's offense converted only 4 of 13 (30.8 percent)and the defense allowed the Bills to convert 9 of 16 (56.3 percent).

OF NOTE

The Patriots made several lineup changes. As expected,Steve Israel started at right cornerback in place of Chris Canty. Also, coach Pete Carroll tinkered with the offensive line, starting Heath Irwin at left guard in place of Max Lane, who had started 56 consecutive games.

Lane's time on the bench was short, however. Right tackle Zefross Moss left the game with a sprained left knee at 5:54 of the first quarter and did not return. On thePatriots' next series, Lane assumed Moss' spot.

The Patriots also started Vincent Brisby at wide receiver ahead of rookie Tony Simmons. Brisby had missed the previous four games because of a broken right index finger, which he reinjured during the game.

Patriots -- Defensive end Willie McGinest (strained left groin) tried to play, but didn't last the first quarter. He re-aggravated the injury that had kept him out three games and may not be back for awhile. ``I've got to lay back and get it right,'' he said. ``I can't rush it. If I keep doing this I'll never be healthy.'' Moss (sprained left knee) will have an MRI today; Israel sustained a concussion; and Brisby had X-rays on his right index finger. Clay was not on the postgame injury report, but said he had a separated shoulder. Bills -- Linebacker John Holecek sprained his right knee and will miss two to four weeks.